Stories of
American Heroes -
Brought to you from the "Home of Heroes" - Pueblo, Colorado

First Ladies

The role of First Ladies, the
wives of our Presidents, has always had a major impact upon
American politics and society. The charming Dolley Madison was
universally loved and respected, and many said without her, James
Madison would have been a one-term president.

Other First Ladies have
played prominent roles as well. Sarah Polk initiated the practice
of playing "Hail to the Chief" to announce the
appearance of the President. During World War II Eleanor Roosevelt
visited American troops in the war zones, and Hillary Clinton left
the White House to pursue her own political career as a
Senator.

Below are facts about five of our First
Ladies.
Can you correctly identify them?

When
a temperance (though not prohibitionist) President entered
the White House, his wife stopped the practice of serving alcohol at state
dinners, prompting one American Official to note sarcastically about one
function, "It was a brilliant affair; the water flowed like
champagne." The practice earned the First Lady the nickname of

"Lemonade.....

Your
Answer

Helen (Taft).

Edith (Wilson).

Lou (Hoover).

Lucy (Hayes)

Lady Bird (Johnson).

When
infirmity incapacitated the President, this first lady effectively
downplayed his serious condition from the media and from the American
Public. Working behind the scenes to personally attend to many of the
President's duties, her political efforts during the period were later
labeled the "Petticoat Government."

Who was this First Lady?

Your
Answer

Abigail Adams.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Edith Wilson

Anna Harrison

Mary Todd Lincoln

Born
in a log cabin, this future president lost his father when he was 3 years
old and grew up in poverty. In lieu of formal education, he apprenticed
himself for two years, then ran away and hid for two years. Unable to
read, write, or perform arithmetic when he married at age eighteen, he was
taught these important skills by his young wife, a future first lady. His
wife was....

Your
Answer

Rachel Jackson

Mary Todd Lincoln

Elizabeth Johnson

Julia Grant

Edith Roosevelt

One
year after the bachelor U.S. President entered the White House, he married
this young lady. What First Lady gave us our first White House Wedding?

Your
Answer

Frances Folsom Cleveland

Rachel Jackson

Angelica Van Buren

Caroline Harrison

Helen Taft

As
the wife of a foreign diplomat during the Boxer Rebellion, this future first
lady gained renown for her courage under fire, helping to prepare the
defenses and encourage the defenders. Years later, as First Lady, when
poverty-stricken veterans marched on Washington, D.C., she personally served
them coffee and sandwiches.